Happy 20th birthday, RAD! (or 24th... idk)
It's been my lifelong dream to see them live and I've finally fulfilled it. Back in 2023 they performed in NYC but I couldn't secure tickets in time and have been bummed out about it since.
Whenever I see people commenting stuff like "I'm turning 35 this year, seeing them live brings me back to my teenage years" on YouTube music videos, I never really understood that feeling until now.
I wouldn't have discovered Makoto Shinkai's works if it weren't for RADWIMPS. One evening in middle school, I was listening to whatever piano songs YouTube recommended me when one of the soundtrack songs for "Your Name" popped up, I think it was either "Date" or "Katawaredoki." After learning it was from an anime movie, I instantly went to watch it and fell in love instantly. I went on to rewatch that movie 14 times that same week — it was that good, then I watched all of Shinkai's filmography and became his #1 glazer
To Mr. Noda, RADWIMPS, and Makoto Shinkai, thank you all for making up so much of my childhood :) I hold all your works very dear to my heart. I hope the three of you continue producing together for at least another century, and I will dedicate the rest of my life studying how to invent immortality if I have to.
